Bedford, MA, November 29, 2005 – Latran Technologies, a recognized leader with the industry's most advanced digital halftone proofing technology, announces that Master Arts, Inc., a flexo tradeshop located in Anaheim, CA, has expanded their proofing capacity with the purchase of a second Prediction 2230 digital halftone proofing system.
Founded in 1962 and located in Anaheim California, Master Arts has been providing complete prepress solutions to its customers for over 40 years. From its 10,000 square-foot state of the art facility, Master Arts' expertise in print applications such as rotogravure and flexography—as well as lithography—has given the company the reputation that it enjoys. The company boasts a complete art department, flexo digital and rubber plate departments, and full quality control. The understanding of these applications allows the company to be more flexible with the needs of the client, as well as delivering the most accurate and efficient products for a variety of markets.
While Master Arts was searching for a digital proofing system that could meet the demands of their flexible packaging clients, they discovered Latran's Prediction system. They needed a digital proofing solution that would allow customers to see dots exactly as they would be printed, directly from the RIP that was driving their platesetter. Because they were going to CTP, they would be relying on digital files, not time-consuming and costly negative films for their proofing. Master Arts also needed a proofing solution that could image directly onto flexo substrates, like clear films. When a flexo trade shop is able to provide a proof on clear plastic, it can make the difference between winning and losing the customer. With Prediction, Master Arts was able to proof on a clear flexo substrate. Now, years later, Master Arts has purchased a second Prediction proofer to support their business growth.
The Prediction Digital Halftone Proofing System incorporates laser ablation transfer technology, produces flexo dots, and uses real ink pigments on real flexo substrates to produce high-resolution proofs that match the flexo press with unparalleled accuracy. Prediction images with a precise 10-micron spot which enables the system to accurately proof any conventional, stochastic or hybrid flexo screening technology.
Pigment-based ink sheets provide stable and accurate hue, color gamut and color fidelity for an accurate match to press and faster make-ready. Prediction also renders true color directly on the final press stock, removing the variability of stock color. With its 2540 or 2400 dpi resolution, Prediction matches the output quality of leading platemaking systems, providing true digital file integrity between proof and press.
Master Arts is running CTP on an Esko-Graphics CDI imager with sleeve capability, driving both the digital plate imager and Prediction systems with one-bit TIFF files from PackEdge software. This feature gives Master Arts and their clients the confidence they need that the digital proof accurately predicts the press. As Elgin Chalayan, president of Master Arts comments, “The Prediction systems have enabled our company to deliver our customers digital proofs, which is essential to go CTP. Any time you try to use two separate files for proofing and plate you are asking for trouble. Our Prediction system is also much less time-consuming. Analog methods require an operator to do labor-intensive work. Our Prediction system does most of the work itself, allowing our production staff to focus on other important tasks.”
Master Arts appreciates the accuracy of color and consistency of the Prediction system, and many customers have insisted on Prediction proofs. About 80% of Master Arts' proofs are printed on clear plastic with a white base, some of which are also cut and glued as mock-ups on the final bags for customer samples. Master Arts intends to add Latran's Dalmatian software, which will expand the proofing gamut for spot colors and metallics.
The Prediction system is extremely reliable, requiring little to no adjustment. “We have been using our Prediction system for years and maintenance is next to nothing,” comments Chalayan. “All we've had to do is conduct regular filter changes and minimal calibration.”
“My experience with Latran has been very positive. They always call me to ask how we are doing. Any time their regional tech support person is in the area, he will stop by, look at the system, and talk with operators to see if they have any questions,” concludes Chalayan. “Their hardware has been reliable and the machines have a low cost of maintenance. I am very happy with the performance of my Prediction systems.”